Born: 1988 (China)
Biography:
Li Xiaoxia, born on January 16, 1988, in China, is a Chinese table tennis Grand Slam champion. She had an illustrious career in the sport, becoming one of the most successful female table tennis players of her time. Li Xiaoxia trained at the Jiangsu Wuxi Shanhe Club in Wuxi, China, under the mentorship of Li Sun, who also coached Olympic gold medalist Zhang Yining.
Li Xiaoxia’s career was marked by numerous achievements and accolades. As of April 2011, she was ranked number one in the ITTF women’s world ranking. She went on to win gold medals in the Table Tennis World Cup, the Table Tennis World Championships, and the Olympic Games, joining the ranks of other legendary players like Ding Ning, Deng Yaping, Wang Nan, and Zhang Yining.
In 2012, Li Xiaoxia clinched the gold medal at the Olympic Games, solidifying her position as a top player in the world. She followed this victory with a win at the World Championships in 2013, further cementing her status as a table tennis powerhouse. Throughout her career, Li Xiaoxia made five appearances at the World Cup, claiming the title in 2008 and finishing as the runner-up in 2011 and 2014. She also reached the semi-finals in 2009 and 2015.
Li Xiaoxia had an impressive record in the ITTF Pro Tour. She won a total of nine Pro Tour titles, including the China Open, Qatar Open, German Open, and Swedish Open. Additionally, she achieved multiple runner-up finishes in prestigious tournaments such as the Kuwait Open, Japan Open, and Slovenian Open. In Pro Tour Grand Finals, Li Xiaoxia had three appearances, winning the title in 2007 and finishing as the runner-up in 2006.
On the continental stage, Li Xiaoxia tasted success at the Asian Games, winning the gold medal in 2010. She also had two runner-up finishes at the Asian Championships in 2007 and 2009. In women’s doubles, Li Xiaoxia partnered with other talented players to secure World Championships titles in 2009 and 2011. She also reached the finals in 2007 and 2015. In mixed doubles, Li Xiaoxia won the Asian Championships in 2009 and reached the semi-finals in 2005.
Li Xiaoxia had a dominant presence in team events as well. She won gold medals at the Olympic Games in both 2012 and 2016. Moreover, she tasted victory at the World Championships in 2006, 2008, and 2012, while also finishing as the runner-up in 2010. Li Xiaoxia’s success extended to the World Team Cup, where she stood atop the podium in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Furthermore, she won gold medals at the Asian Games in 2006 and 2010 and the Asian Championships in 2003, 2007, and 2009.
In January 2017, Li Xiaoxia announced her retirement through the social media website Weibo, expressing her bittersweet emotions. She bid farewell to table tennis and her beloved Chinese team, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the sport. Li Xiaoxia’s dedication, skill, and relentless pursuit of excellence have made her an inspiration for aspiring table tennis players worldwide.
Awards:
– Olympic Games Gold Medal – 2012
– World Championships Gold Medal – 2013
– World Cup Winner – 2008
– Pro Tour Grand Finals Winner – 2007
– Asian Games Gold Medal – 2010
– Asian Championships Winner – 2007, 2009
– World Junior Championships Winner – 2003
– Olympic Games Team Gold Medal – 2012, 2016
– World Championships Team Gold Medal – 2006, 2008, 2012
– World Team Cup Winner – 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011
– Asian Games Team Gold Medal – 2006, 2010
– Asian Championships Team Gold Medal – 2003, 2007, 2009